A Kanata community association president, and high school teacher, has declared his candidacy for city council representing Ward 4, Kanata North, in the upcoming civic election.

Matt Muirhead has established a reputation for effective community leadership and innovative problem-solving as president of the Briarbrook and Morgan’s Grant Community Association in the ward.  The 36-year-old Kanata man says he wants to bring his common-sense approach toward the issues at city hall in the October 25^th municipal election.

As a community leader, Matt Muirhead launched a graffiti-fighting initiative in his Kanata community in 2007 that continues to this day.  So successful were his efforts that he was asked to speak at the City of Ottawa’s “Graffiti Symposium”.  Matt also founded the Multicultural Festival in Kanata North and has hosted many other community events and meetings.

In 2008, Matt was nominated for a City of Ottawa “Civic Appreciation Award” and he was awarded the Mayor’s “Agent of Change” medallion in 2010.

Muirhead is a Candidate of Record from the 2006 civic election, having stood previously in Kanata North, where he received 21% of the votes cast.

Matt Muirhead is married and father of three children.  He is the current president of the federal Conservative riding association and an executive director of the provincial Progressive Conservative association in Kanata’s local riding of Carleton-Mississippi Mills.

Frustrated by a lack of development oversight in his ward, and the imposition of a new tax on the area by the current councillor (without what Muirhead deems “appropriate consultation”), Muirhead is seeking to provide purposeful change for his community at city council.

Matt Muirhead says he will provide an improved balance of thoughtful leadership and consultative representation, focused on the future for residents of Kanata North and the city of Ottawa.